La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro together with the French Sailing Federation (FFVoile), names Jacques Caraës as the new Race Director. He follows Christian Gout who held the post for 2005 and 2006.

Jacques Caraës, has an impressive CV. As a figure in offshore sailing for over thirty years he has competed in three round the world yacht races, more than twenty Atlantic crossings and six years of the La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro. Caraës holds joint records for both the Trophée Jules Verne and the Atlantic crossing New-York/Lizard (on board the maxi-catamaran Orange II, in March 2005 and in July 2006), and has proven himself across many racing disciplines on both mono and multihulls.

For six years, he has gained experience as Race Director on a series of sailing events including the Double de Brest 2000, Régate Interne Generale’s Cup – Veolia from 2003 to 2006, the corporate sailing regatta for the Trophée Morse – Arkenis from 2001 to 2005.

Jacques Caraës commented about his new appointment: “The role of Race Director of La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro represents a new challenge for me. I have experienced La Solitaire as a competitor and now I will put my experience into this leading event in single-handed racing. I will face the challenge with enthusiasm. For me, La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro 2007 starts today”.

La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro will unveil the 2007 course on Thursday 30 November.